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John W. Doorly

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John W. Doorly
Personal details
Born1878
Barbados, British West Indies
Died1950 (aged 71–72)
DenominationChristian Science

John Williams Doorly (1878-1950) was a British Christian Science teacher, lecturer, and practitioner.[1] He was known for his efforts to articulate and systematize the fundamental principles of the Science of Being as found in the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy.[2] Doorly was regarded as a pioneer within the Christian Science movement and spent more than four decades teaching and practicing its methods of spiritual understanding.[3][4]

Early life

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John W. Doorly was born May,1878 in Barbados, then part of the British West Indies. Doorly was sixth in a family of nine boys and one daughter. John’s father, Martin Edward Doorly,[5] was a musician and his mother, Catherine Isabella‘s (nee Carrington) brother was Sir John Carrington, Chief Justice of Hong Kong.[6]  Although English by nationality, Doorly spent his early years in Barbados before emigrating to the United States as a young man. His first work pursuits included surveyor and silk manufacturing.{{John W. Doorly and the Scientific Evolution of Christian Science, Brook, Peggy, Page 1} |date=May 2026}}

Career

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After arriving in the United States, Doorly became deeply interested in the teachings of Christian Science after attending a Christian Science church with his wife, Bertie (nee, Robinson ) who was later known as Laura. He joined the Christian Science church and soon entered the public healing practice as a Christian Science practitioner. In 1910, he became an authorized teacher within the Christian Science movement.[7][8]

Doorly taught and practiced Christian Science for more than 47 years. He became especially known for his healing work and for his efforts to explain the underlying structure and principles of Christian Science as a complete system. He served as President of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston from 1919 to 1920[9] and was a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship from 1914 to 1929.

During the early 1940s, Doorly increased his research of The Bible and Science and Health, requiring writing and disseminating his findings. An example of his research includes every reference in Science and Health, of the capitalized terms such as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love, the synonyms for God in Eddy’s definition for God, as well as their usage in the Bible. This research generated hundreds of citations that are reported in the compendiums of Max Kappeler, et. al.[10]

His work also contributed to a renewed approach to healing grounded in the understanding and application of spiritual law and scientific fundamentals. In addition, it encouraged a broader recognition of one divine Principle operating throughout human history and all aspects of life, interpreted through the universal foundations of the Science of Being.[11]

Doorly delivered extensive lectures and summer schools in London and Oxford between the 1930s and 1950.[12] Many of these talks were later published in transcript form.[13]

Publications and teachings

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Doorly published his first book, The Pure Science of Christian Science in 1946.[14]

He authored and published a number of books and lecture series concerning Christian Science, biblical interpretation, and metaphysics.[15] His works included discussions on the Science of the Bible and the spiritual interpretation of biblical narratives.[16]

In 1946, he founded The Foundational Book Company in London to publish his writings and related works on Christian Science.[17]

Doorly’s teachings later became associated with the Science of Being, a framework further developed by his student Max Kappeler. Organizations such as the Kappeler Institute and the John W. Doorly Trust continue to preserve and publish his writings.[18]

Bibliography

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Selected works include:

  • 1913- Christian Science[19]
  • Christian Science: The Revelation of Christ. Boston: Christian Science Publishing Society. 1917.
  • Talks on the science of the Bible. Foundational Book Company. 1940. OCLC 0806840. Retrieved 2026-05-28 – via Open Library.
  • The Pure Science of the Bible. 1947. Retrieved 2026-05-28 – via Open Library.
  • 1949- The Science of the Bible
  • Talks Given by John W. Doorly on Christian Science Practice. Foundational Book Company. 1958.[20]
  • God and Science. 1949. Retrieved 2026-05-28 – via Open Library.
  • Kings I and II (Talks on Science of Bible). 1949.
  • Talks given by John W. Doorly on the science of the Bible. 1957. Retrieved 2026-05-28 – via Open Library.

Legacy

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The John W. Doorly Trust, established in the United Kingdom in 1991, was created to preserve and distribute his publications and archival materials.[21]  

References

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  1. ^ Washington News Letter. O.C. Sabin. 1917.
  2. ^ "Verifying your browser". ixtheo.de. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  3. ^ "Doorly – John W. Doorly Biography and Category Index". Mary Baker Eddy Institute. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  4. ^ "The Lectures / Christian Science Sentinel". Christian Science Sentinel. 1916-08-05. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  5. ^ "Martin Edward Doorly (1847-1895)". FamilySearch.org. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  6. ^ "JOHN W. DOORLY AND THE SCIENTIFIC EVOLUTION OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE" (PDF).
  7. ^ "John W Doorly - Christian Science teacher, lecturer and practitioner". The John W Doorly Trust. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  8. ^ The Mentor. State Prison. 1918.
  9. ^ The New International Year Book. Dodd, Mead and Company. 1920.
  10. ^ "What is the Science of Being?" (PDF).
  11. ^ "The History of the Science of Christian Science « Kappeler Institute – USA". www.kappelerinstitute.org. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  12. ^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1949). Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  13. ^ "Talks given by John W. Doorly on the science of the Bible". Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  14. ^ "The pure science of Christian Science by John W. Doorly | Open Library". Open Library. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  15. ^ Wilson, Bryan R. Sects and Society. University of California Press.
  16. ^ "Doorly – Other Publications – 8 Volumes – John W. Doorly". Mary Baker Eddy Institute. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  17. ^ "Arthur B. Corey papers, 1862 - 1984 : A Guide to the Collection Collection Summary". txarchives.org. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  18. ^ "THE JOHN W DOORLY TRUST - Charity 1006077". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  19. ^ Christian Science Sentinel. Christian Science Publishing Society. 1913.
  20. ^ "The science of the Bible / 75/85 Ezekiel I : a verbatim report of the talk given by John W. Doorly ... on October 7th 1949. Ezekiel II. [u.a.]". ixtheo.de. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  21. ^ "THE JOHN W DOORLY TRUST - Charity 1006077". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
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